YFU YES Program Resources

In response to the events of September 11th, 2001, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program was launched to build bridges of understanding between the United States and countries with significant Muslim populations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Europe. Funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the YES program provides high school students from these countries an opportunity to live in the United States with host families and attend high school for an academic year.

YES Country-Specific Resources

Cultural Handbooks for YES Program Countries - Funded by the US Department of State and available to all organizations hosting YES scholars, these resources focus on cultural norms and traditions and provide perspectives from US host families. Use these handbooks to learn about your YES student's cultural background and support their adjustment in the US. Each year, the YES program adds new country handbooks.

YFU YES Host Family, School, and Volunteer Recruitment Tools

YES Scholar & Host Family Stories Promotional Video - This US Department of State-sponsored video features YES students and their host families, including YFU YES student Nourhan from Kuwait. The video engages prospective host families in the extraordinary story of the YES Program and encourages them to be hosts, ambassadors, and champions. It dispels myths and preconceptions, answers common questions, and gets people excited about hosting. Use this tool to introduce the YES program, broaden the appeal for and deepen appreciation of this exchange opportunity for host families and community members.

Leadership Opportunities for YFU YES Scholars

1. Civic Education Workshop (CEW): A one-week program, held by American Councils and American Civics Center in Washington, D.C., hosting approximately 100 YES students. During CEW, students will learn firsthand about the U.S. federal system of government and other important concepts of US culture and civil society through seminar discussions, briefings, and meetings on Capitol Hill.

4. English Language Teaching: This one-week workshop, presented by American Councils in Washington, D.C., will host approximately 28 students. Participants learn classroom teaching and leadership skills. The workshops are focused on developing participants' abilities to teach English to other youth and to help them qualify for ECA and Embassy supported English programs when they return home. Activities include extensive online pre-program engagement, as well as follow-on support and interaction after the students return home.

5. Better Understanding for a Better World Conference (BUBW): This conference brings together US high school students of diverse backgrounds and international exchange students currently studying in the US. YFU YES students selected to attend will receive a scholarship which pays for the full conference fee and transportation to Baltimore.

Mid-February: Students notified of acceptance by YFU USANote: The BUBW workshop application will be offered only to YFU FLEX & YES scholars. Approximately 12 of our YFU FLEX & YES scholars will be selected to attend.